Meter



M. SMITHEY.

METER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 15.!9I6- RENEWED APR. 25, 1919.

1 307, 1 57 Patented June 17, 1919.

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v METER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 15. 1916. RENEWED APR. 25. 1919.

1,307,157. Patented June 17, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII A TTOIME Y8 M. SMITHEY.

METER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 15. 1916. RENEWED APR. 25, 1919.

1 ,307, 1 57. Patented J 11110 17, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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mfilissss Arron/151's MARVIN SMITHEY, 0F LAWBENCEVILLE, VIRGINIA.

METER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 17, 1919.

Application filed duly 15, 1916, Serial No. 109,440. Renewed April 25, 1919. Serial No. 292,684.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARVIN SMITHEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lawrenceville, in the county of Brunswick and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meters; and they consist in the constructions, combinations, and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a device wherein a plurality of odometers is driven from a common driving means, and in which a common resetting means is employed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein any one of the, odometers may be disconnected from a common driving train or may be connected at will.

A further object of my invention is to provide a meter mechanism of the type described, which has relatively few parts, and which therefore is not liable tocasily get out of order.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in Whicl1:-

Figure 1 is a face view of a meter constructed in accordance with my inyention;

Fig. 2 is a side view;

Fig. 3.is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. l is a section on the line l-l of Fig. 5;

Fig.. 5 is a section along the line of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section along the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a section through the resetting mechanism, showing the parts in one position;

Fig. 8 is a similar section, showing the parts in another position;

Fig. 9 is a similar section showing the parts in a third position;

Fig. 10 is a similar section showing the parts in a fourth position and Fig. 11 is a section along the line 1l1l of Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, I have shown a casing 1 which is provided wlth a cover 2 having thereon a dral 3,1nd1cat1ngmiles per hour, said cover 2 being provided with openings 4 arranged to register with the odometers 5, which as seen in Fig. 4 are arranged preferably in two rows, the odometers of one row being offset or staggered with relation to those in the adjacent'row. Upon the cover 2 is a plate of glass 8, which is held in position by means of a flanged ring 7.

As will be seen from Fig. 5, the partition 8 dividesthecasing 7 into two parts. Disposed upon the partitions 8 are odometers 4 These indicate the mileage of the various partsthe trip mileage and the total mileage. simultaneously and to this end, I provide a drive shaft 9, having a worm 10. see Figs. 3, 4 and 5, arranged to engage a worm gear 11 on the shaft 12. The latter bears a worm 13 arranged to engage a worm wheel 17 on the shaft'15 having a worm 16 arranged to engage a worm wheel 17 on the shaft 18,

the latter being provided with a worm 19 arranged to engage a worm 20 on the shaft 21. see Fig. 6, upon which is mounted a mutilated gear the latter arranged to engage a gear 23 of the lower odometer 5 shown in Fig. 4. The shaft 21 of this odometer is provided with a gear 25, all of the other odometers having their shafts extended and provided'with similar gears 25 and these gears are driven simultaneously in the same direction at the same speed by means of idlers 26 or intermediate pinions. (See Fig. 11.) These idlers or pinions are mounted on the lugs 27 of the bar 28. It will be seen that the rotation of the shaft of the lower odometer (see Fig. 4) which bears the gear, 25 is relatively slow on account of v the speed reducing train which consists of worm waeels and worms, as described.

Each of the gears 25* is slidably mounted on the shaft 5 of its respective odometer. Each gear 25* constitutes a clutch member having. teeth 25 arranged to engage the teeth 9* of the gear 29 which is fixed to the shaft 5". As will be seen from Figs. 7 to 11. inclusive, the pinion 26 is a wide one so that the gear '25 is always in mesh with the pinion 26 in any position of the gear 25?. Any of the odometers is in operative engagement with the driving train, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 7, for in this figure the gears 25 and 29 are in -mesh and therefore the shaft 5 of the odometer may be turned. The casing 1 is proenter the groove 36 in the base 37 of the uprights 38 to which the bearing 33 is pivoted.

I The shaft 31 bearsa member 39, which has a gear 40 at one end and an annular groove 41 arranged to fit over the edge of the gear 25 The shaft. 31 is adapted to slide longitudinally with respect to the bearing 32 while the bearing together with the uprights 38 and the base member 37 may be moved'parallel to the bearing by means of a thumb wheel 42, the base 37 sliding in a slot 43. See Fig. 4.

In order to prevent dust from entering the casing, I provide a curved band or strip 44, which normally covers the slot 30 and which moves with the shaft 31 as the latter is shifted.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof will be readily understood. Let us assume that it is desired to disconnect the odometer corresponding to the dial part 3. The thumb wheel 42 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 2 in which position the grooves 41 will come into registration with the gear 25". The thumb wheel 42 is now ushed inwardly until the spring-pressed liall detent enters the groove 34". See Fig. 8. This moves the gear 25 out of mesh with its companion gear 29 on the shaft 5" and thus disconnects the odometer shaft. Now, in pressing the hand wheel 42 still farther inwardly, as seen in Fig. 9, the gear 29 is brought into mesh with the gear 40 so that on rotating the hand wheel 42, the shaft 5 of the odometer will be rotated and may be reset. If it is desired to leave the odometer in its disconnected position, it may be done by lifting the outer end of the shaft upwardly, which will bring the parts into the full line position as shown in Fig. 10, whereupon the shaft 31 may be moved outwardly into the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 10, thus leaving the gear 25 in its inner position out of mesh with the gear 29. Any of the otherodometers may be disconnected,

, either temporarily or permanently, in the manner described by moving the shaft 31 to a point in which the groove 41 of the member 39 is brought into registering position so as to disconnect the gear 25* of the odometer which is'to be reset or disconnected. It will be noted that the pin 35 is moved out of the groove or slot 37 when the shaft 31 is tilted to bringthc head 39 out of engagement with the gear 25. Recesses 30 are provided along one side of the slot 30 for guidin the shaft 31 when the latter is 55 tilted.

9 as being provided with an extension 9 The central portion of this shaft is provided with a squared part 9'. A centrifugal wheel or ring 50 is pivotally mounted at 51 on the squared portion 9 and is provided with links 52,'which are pivotally attached In Figs. .3 and 5, I have shown the Shaft closed in a prior application Serial No. 7

104,047, filed June 16, 1916.

It will be seen that I have provided meter in which the speed of the vehicle is registered, and in which the mileage of any of the parts of the devices or independent features connected with the vehicle may be ascertalnedi The device is compact owing to the grouping of the odometers in staggered relation and to the provision of a single disconnecting, and resetting means which simplifies the device without rendering the same any less efficient.

I claim:

1. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers within the casing each odometer having an operating shaft, said odometers being arranged in rows, the odometers of one row being staggered with respect tothe odometers of the other row and the ends of all of the odometer shafts being in alinement, and means movable from one shaft to another and adapted to be connected with the end of any of said odometer shafts for disconnecting or resetting the odometer at Will.

2. In a meter, a casing, a piurality of rows of odometers disposed within the casing, each odometer having an operating shaft, the odometers of one row being in staggered relation with the odom-- eters of the adjacent row and the ends of all the odometer shafts being in al'inement, means for drivin all of the said odometers simultaneous y, and a disconnecting and resetting means common to all of the odometers and shiftable to connect with the end of any of said odometers fordisconnecting or resetting the odometer.

3. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of rows of odometers disposed within the casing each odometer having an operating shaft, the odometers of one row being in staggered relation with the odometers of the adjacent row and the ends of all the odometer shafts being in alinement, means for driving all of the said odometers simultaneously, and a common resetting and disconnecting means to said odometers, said common means being pivotally mounted Within the casing and having a portion arranged to project out of the casing and adapted to bemoved into and out of operative connection with the ends of the odometer shafts and laterally from one odometer shaft to another.

4. In a meter, a casing, plurality of rows of odometers disposed Within the casing, means for driving all of the odometers simultaneously, a stem arranged to project through the casing of the meter, said stem being movable longitudinally with respect to its axis and bodily movable in a direction at right angles thereto, and means carried by the stem for engaging any of said odometers for resetting the same.

5. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of rows of odometers disposed within said casing, the odometers of one row being staggered with respect to the odometers of the adjacent row, the ends of the odometer shafts being in aline-ment, means connected with the ends of the odometer shafts for driving all of the said odometers simultaneously, and means shiftable from one odometer shaft to another for disconnecting any odometer from its driving train.

6. In a meter, a casing,a plurality of rows of odometers disposed, within said casing, the odometers of one row being staggered with respect to the odometers of the adjacent row, the ends of the odometer shafts being in alinement, means connected with the ends of the odometer shafts for driving all of the said odometers simultaneously, and means shifta'ble from one odometer shaft to another for disconnecting any odometer from its driving train and for resetting it.

7. In a meter, a casing, a plurallty of rows of odometers disposed within said casing, the odometers of one row being staggered with respect to the odometers of the adjacent row, the ends of the shafts being in alinement, means connected with the ends of the odometer shafts for driving all of the said odometers simultaneously, a shaft arranged to extend through the casing, a slide bearing for said shaft, a slidable sup port within the casing, means for pivotally connecting said bearing with said support, and means carried by one end of the shaft for engaging a portion of the, driving mechanism of any of the odometers for bringing said portion out of operative engagement with the rest of the driving mechanism, thereby disconnecting the odometer. v

8. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinioi1,'on the end of the odometer shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on said shaft, the fixed pinion and said loosely mounted pinion having slidable on said shaft, the fixed pinion and with the fixed gear.

odometers, each odometer being provided clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, and an idler pinion disposed between the loosely mounted gears of the ad-. jacent odometers whereby movement is transmitted from one odometer to the other.

9. In a meter, a casing, a pluralityof odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinion on the end of the odometer shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, an idler pinion disposed between the loosely mounted gears of the adjacent odometers whereby movement is transmitted from one odometer to the other, each of said idlers being of sufficient width to remain in mesh with the loose gear in the position ofengagement or disengagement of the loose gear 10. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinion on the end of the odometer shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on saidshaft, the fixed pinion and said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, an idler pinion disposed between the loosely mounted gears of the adjacent odometers whereby movement is transmitted from one odometerto the other, each of said idlers being of sufficient width to remain in mesh with the loose gear in the position of engagement or disengagement of the loose gear with the fixed gear, and means for bringing any of said loosely mounted gears out of engagement with its associated fixedgear, thereby disconnecting the odometer. 11. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of with a fixed pinion' on the end of the odometer shaftvand having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on said shaft, the fixed pinion and said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, an idler pinion disposed between the loosely mounted gears of the adj acent odometers whereby movement istransmitted from one odometer to the other, each of said idlers being of sufficient width 11 to remain in mesh with the loose gear in the position of engagement or disengagement of the loose gear with the fixed gear, and a common disconnecting and resetting means for said odometer, said means comprising a shaft adapted to be moved longitudinally of its axis and pivotally mounted within the casing, one end of the shaft being provided with a grooved head arranged to engage said loosely mounted gear for moving the latter on the odometer shaft while permitting the revolution of the gear.

12. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinion on the end of the odom eter shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on said'shaft, the fixed pinion and said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for. mutual engagement, an idler pinion disposed between the loosely mounted gears of the adjacent odometer to the other, each of said idlers being of suflicient width to remain in mesh with the loose gear in the position of engagement or disengagement of the loose gear with the fixed gear, and a common disconnecting and resetting means for said odometer, said means comprising a shaft adapted to be moved longitudinally of its axis and being pivotally mounted within the casing, one end of the shaft being provided with a grooved head arranged to engage said loosely mounted gear for moving the latter on the odometer shaft while permitting the revolution of the gear, and a eters whereby movement is transmitted from one odometer to the other, each of said idlers being of sufficient width to remain in mesh with the loose gear in the position of engagement or disengagement of the loose gear with the fixed gear and a common disconnecting and resetting means for said odometer, said means comprising a -shaft adapted to be moved longitudinally of its axis and being pivotally mounted within the casing, one end of the shaft being provided with a grooved head arranged to engage said loosely mounted gear for moving the latter on the odometer shaft while permitting the revolution of the gear, a gear secured to said head and adapted to be brought into engagement with the fixedgear of the odometer shaft, and means for holding said resetting and disconnecting shaft in its shifted position. i

14. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinion on the end of the odometer shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on said shaft, the fixed pinion and said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, and means for actuating the loose pinion when the latter is in clutched position with respect to the fixed pinion.

15. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinion on the end of the odometer shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on said shaft, the fixed pin ion and said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, means for actuating the loose pinion when the latter is inclutched'position with respect to the fixed pinion, and for also actuating the loose pinion in its position of disengagement.

16. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinion on theend of the odometer shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on said shaft, the fixed pinion and said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, means for actuating the loose pinion when the latter is in clutched position with respect to the fixed pinion, and for also actuating the loose pinion in its 0- sition. of disengagement, and means or transmitting the movement of any particular loose pinion to the loose pinion of the adjacent odometer.

17. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers, each odometer being provided with a fixed pinion on the end of the odometer shaft and having a loosely mounted pinion slidable on said shaft, the fixed pin- 1on and said loosely mounted pinion having clutch members arranged for mutual engagement, meansi for actuating the loose pinion when the latter is in clutchedposition with respect to the fixed pinion, and for also actuating the loose pinion in its position -of disengagement, and means for transmitting the movement of any particular loose pinion to the loose pinion of the adjacent odometer, when the loose pinions of either odometers are in either their clutchd or disengaged positions.

18. In a meter, a cas1ng,'a plurality of odometers within the casing, said odometers being arranged-in rows, and means movable in a direction parallel with said rows and adapted to be connected with any of said odometers for disconnecting or re-setting v the odometer, at will. 7

19. In a meter, a casing, a lurality of rows of odometers disposed wit in the casing, means for driving all of the odometers simultaneously, and a disconnecting and resetting means common to all the odometers and shiftable in a. direction parallel with said rows to connect with any of said odometers for disconnecting or re-setting the same.

. 20. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of rows of odometers disposed within the easing, means for driving all of the odometers simultaneously and a common re-setting and disconnecting means for said odometers,

said common means being pivotally mounted within the casing and having a-portion arranged to pro ect out of the casing and adapted to be moved toward and away from the odometers vand laterally from one odometer to another.

21. In a meter, a casing, a plurality of odometers Within the said casing, each odometer havlng an operating shaft, said odometers being arranged 1n rows, the odometers of one row rbeing staggered with relation to V the odometers of the other row and the ends of all the odometer shafts being in alinement, and means movable in a direction par- 

